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FR TOM WRITES
Many of you will be aware that Pope Francis has spent the last week in hospital suffering with pneumonia in both lungs following a serious case of bronchitis. It is important that as Catholics we pray for the Pope because he is the successor of St Peter. In an unbroken succession, we can trace back his apostolic authority, back to Peter and to Christ, who commissioned Peter, just as he commissions each pope. Our Holy Father is an important link for us in faith. He represents the Lord for us, and he is a source of our unity. He is, as it were, a global father to the Church – not just a Holy Father, but a global father. He’s the Father of all peoples. In a particular way, he’s the father of every Catholic. Please pray at this time for Pope Francis’ health and for every strength and blessing for him.
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FR TOM WRITES
A massive thank you to all who enabled our celebration of the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes to be such a resounding success. It was beautiful to celebrate the gift of our patronal saint, and to welcome Bishop Curry who implored us to be pilgrims into hope during this Jubilee Year. We were also asked to pray for all those around the world who find themselves without hope for whatever reason, in particular for all those in places that are experiencing war at this time. Let us pray for them, through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother, and Patronal Saint, the Virgin Mary. As he previously mentioned, Fr David will be in Rome this week Monday to Thursday.
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FR TOM WRITES
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, commemorating the moment Mary and Joseph brought their Son to the temple to be consecrated to the Father. This Feast is also known as Candlemas Day; when candles, which symbolise Christ our light, are blessed. This is also the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life. Like candles, those in consecrated life are called to reflect the light of Christ to all peoples. Let us pray for all who have consecrated themselves to God through the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience, and especially those living in our parish.
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TUESDAY: FEAST OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES 7PM
Tuesday is our parish feast day. There will be Mass at 10am for the whole primary school as we celebrate our patronal feast. If you cannot come in the evening, you can join us at 10am. The special Mass for the whole parish will be on Tuesday evening at 7pm. This will be led by Bishop Jim Curry, and will be followed after Mass with a reception in the parish hall. Please join us for this special event.
FR DAVID WRITES
Please see the notice above about Tuesday. The Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes marks the anniversary of the first apparition of Our Lady to St Bernadette at the Grotto of Massabielle on 11th February 1858. Tuesday is also the World Day of Prayer for the Sick. Please keep this important intention in your prayers. I wish you all every blessing as we celebrate our special feast. Just a note to say that I will be in Rome from 17-20 February so there will be one Mass only on those days.
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FR TOM WRITES
This Sunday the Church celebrates the Sunday of the Word of God, an initiative of Pope Francis to signify the importance of the Word of God in the daily life of every Christian. Our parishes and communities are called to have a living relationship with the scriptures, which is one way of God speaking to his Children. The Word of God is not only confined to a book: Jesus Christ is the Word made flesh and he speaks to us in many ways. The motto chosen by the Holy Father this year is a verse from Psalm 119, “I hope in your Word”. It is a cry of hope: in a moment of anguish, tribulation, and confusion, we cry out to God and put all our hope in him.